DW
The wife of the former Interpol chief being held in China on corruption charges has applied for asylum in France, her spokesperson has said.
Grace Meng was put under police protection in the central French city of Lyon soon after her husband Hongwei’s disappearance amid concerns she may be kidnapped, her lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny told the Reuters news agency.
The radio station France Info cited her as saying that strangers have followed her, received suspicious phone calls, and had her car license plates photographed by mysterious people.
Read more: Jailed Chinese activist Huang Qi in ‘immediate’ danger: rights groups
Desperate plea
“I need the French government to protect, to assist and help my children and me,” she told France Info.
“I am afraid I may be kidnapped.”
Meng Hongwei, the first Chinese boss of Lyon-based international law enforcement agency, disappeared in September after traveling back to his native China. France opened an inquiry, and Beijing said he was under investigation for bribery.
He’s not been heard of since a WhatsApp message to his wife on Sept. 25 saying “wait for my call,” and then a knife emoji signifying danger. Interpol said they received a short message from Meng, a former Chinese vice-minister for public security, saying he was resigning.

He was replaced as the head of the organization by South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang.
Read more: Is China threatening Hong Kong’s freedoms?
Suspicious incidents
French newspaper Liberation cited Grace Meng as saying she had been visited by two Chinese businessmen, one of whom she knew. The pair asked for investment advice from the economist and invited her to travel with them by private jet to the Czech Republic.
In late October, she was asked by the Chinese consulate in Lyon to visit them in person to collect a letter from her husband. She refused, insisting that they pass the letter to French police, or that French police be allowed to go with her to the consulate.
China, meanwhile, says it offered to facilitate a call between Meng and his wife, and that it protects the legitimate rights of all citizens, no matter what situation they find themselves in.
Read more: German student David Missal expelled from China after making human rights film
China’s public security bureau has linked Meng’s detention to a broader initiative to “completely remove the pernicious influence” of Zhou Yongkang, a former security czar was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 for bribery, abuse of power and leaking state secrets.
French authorities declined to comment on the asylum request. It is unclear where Meng is being held.
mm/rc (AFP, Reuters)
DW RECOMMENDS
Taiwan prepares to hold large-scale military drills to deter China
Amid heightened tensions in cross-strait relations, Taiwan’s military is starting a series of newly designed large-scale military drills. Taiwanese analysts say the island should enhance its combat preparedness. (16.01.2019)
China slams Huawei ‘hysteria’
Beijing has condemned US legislation that would stop businesses from selling American-made chips to Huawei and ZTE. US lawmakers described Huawei as an “intelligence-gathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party.” (17.01.2019)
German student David Missal expelled from China after making human rights film
David Missal is due to return to Germany on Sunday after Chinese authorities refused to extend his visa. He thinks the decision is linked to a documentary he made about human rights lawyers for his master’s program. (12.08.2018)
Jailed Chinese activist Huang Qi in ‘immediate’ danger: rights groups
Rights groups have urged China to release activist Huang Qi, warning he could die in custody unless he receives urgent medical care. The appeal comes as a UN panel puts China’s human rights record under the spotlight. (06.11.2018)
China says Interpol chief Meng Hongwei under investigation for bribery
Interpol chief Meng Hongwei, who disappeared during a trip to his native China, is being probed for taking bribes. Meanwhile, Meng’s wife said she fears that her husband’s life is in danger. (08.10.2018)
Is China threatening Hong Kong’s freedoms?
Pro-democracy activists say China is silencing dissent in Hong Kong. DW’s Conflict Zone asks Horace Cheung, VP of the largest pro-Beijing party in the territory, whether he is willing to allow China to curtail rights. (12.09.2018)
Head of Interpol, Meng Hongwei, missing after China trip
French police are investigating the apparent disappearance of the head of Interpol, Meng Hongwei. His wife reported him missing after a trip to China in late September. (05.10.2018)
Interpol presidency: West warns against Russia candidate
Critics have sounded the alarm ahead of a pivotal vote on the new president of Interpol on Wednesday. Russia’s candidate is favorite to take the reins of the global policing organization. (21.11.2018)
WWW LINKS
DW’s top stories by email
AUDIOS AND VIDEOS ON THE TOPIC
- Date 19.01.2019
- Related Subjects People’s Republic of China, political asylum
- Keywords Meng Hongwei, Interpol, China, intelligence agency, law enforcement, asylum
- Feedback: Send us your feedback.
- Print Print this page
- Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3Bp0L